Kite controller

ABSTRACT

An economical kite control that allows a user to quickly and easily modulate the angle of attack of the kite without interfering with the user&#39;s ability to quickly and simultaneously steer the kite and without fatiguing the user. The kite control is preferably an elongate, substantially straight, control rod for simultaneously steering and controlling the angle of attack of the kite, and is preferably used in the sport of kiteboarding. In particular, left and right steering lines on the kite, which also serve as power and depower lines, are secured to respective ends of the rod such that rotation of the rod in a first direction along its longitudinal axis causes these lines to wrap around the rod, thereby shortening them with respect to respective depower lines extending from the rod to the kite. In a preferred embodiment, the control rod is operably harnessed to the user. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the depower lines are also operably secured to the rod such that rotation of the rod in the first direction causes the depower lines to lengthen. Conversely, rotation of the rod in an opposite second direction causes the depower lines to shorten and the power lines to lengthen.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for controlling a kite,preferably used in the sport of kiteboarding. In particular, the deviceallows a user to adjust the kite's power quickly and easily.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The sport of kiteboarding is roughly a cross between sailboardingand parasailing. In particular, the typical kiteboarder rides afloatable board, such as a sailboard, surfboard, wakeboard or the like,over the water while being propelled by a large kite being flown by thekiteboarder.

[0003] In general, the kiteboarder manipulates the kite in wind suchthat it flies above and downwind of him or her, thereby pulling thekiteboarder along a path. The typical kite is shaped like an airfoil andsteerable to the left or right by simultaneously pulling on linesextending from one side of the kite while loosening similar linesextending from the other side of the kite. For example, to command atypical kite to move left of its current position, a kiteboarder canpull on lines extending from the left side of the kite (referred to asleft steering lines herein) while releasing lines extending from theright side of the kite (referred to as right steering lines herein).

[0004] One common way for a kiteboarder to control such lines is tosecure the left and right steering lines on opposite ends of an elongatecontrol rod, which is preferably harnessed to the kiteboarder.Accordingly, the kiteboarder can command the kite to move left bypulling the left side of the control rod closer to him or her than theright side of the control rod. Similarly, the kiteboarder can commandthe kite to move to the right by pulling on the right side of the rodcloser to him or her than the left side. Obviously, when the left andright sides of the rod are equally spaced from the kiteboarder, the kiteholds its current position.

[0005] More recently, kiteboarders have found that by modulating theangle of attack of the kite with respect to the wind the amount of forcegenerated by the kite can be regulated by the kiteboarder during use. Inparticular, a kiteboarder can maximize the power, or lift, generated bythe kite by positioning the kite perpendicular to the wind. Similarly,lift generated by the kite can be minimized by aligning the leading edgeof the kite to be substantially parallel to the direction of the wind.Accordingly, a kiteboarder can select and adjust the power provided bythe kite to any desired setting simply by changing the kite's angle ofattack.

[0006] One known system for allowing kiteboarders to control the angleof attack of the kite includes securing power lines toward the trailingedge of the kite and depower or brake lines along the leading edge ofthe kite. Accordingly, the angle of attack of the kite can be increased,thereby providing maximum power, by pulling on the power lines andloosening the depower lines to align the kite to be substantiallyperpendicular with the direction of the wind. Similarly, the angle ofattack can be minimized, thereby providing minimum power, by pulling onthe depower lines and loosening the power lines to align the leadingedge of the kite to be substantially parallel with the wind.

[0007] A power line and a depower line typically form a pair of lineswith a first pair of lines mounted on the left side of the kite, and asecond pair of lines mounted one the right side of the kite, therebyallowing the pairs of lines to also serve as left or right steeringlines, respectfully.

[0008] A kiteboarder controls his or her movement through the water bysimultaneously shifting his or her weight on the floatable board,directing the kite to fly in a particular direction, and properlymanaging the power provided by the kite. With practice, a kiteboardercan maneuver through the water in all directions available to a typicalsailboat or sailboard. However, unlike these more conventional sports,the lift provided by a kite can also be harnessed to propel thekiteboarder as high as 50 feet above the water with hang times exceeding5 seconds, adding to the thrill of the sport.

[0009] Wind tends to change direction quickly and it is prone gusts.Accordingly, a kiteboarder must be able to quickly and preciselymodulate the kite's power without interfering with steering of the kite.However, known systems for simultaneously controlling power and depowerlines while steering a kite have several disadvantages.

[0010] One known system includes detachably securing the depower linesto the kiteboarder, while securing the power lines to a conventionalelongate control rod. By moving the control rod closer or away from thekiteboarder, the angle of attack of the kite is commanded. However, theforces acting on the control rod are quite large. Accordingly, controlbars are preferably harnessed to the kiteboarder, thereby preventing thekiteboarder's arms from bearing the majority of the forces generated bythe kite. This type of system requires the kiteboarder to unharness thecontrol rod to allow it to be moved as described. Accordingly, in orderto dynamically control the angle of attack of the kite with such asystem, the kiteboarder's arms must carry much of the force generated bythe kite. Such forces can quickly fatigue a kiteboarder, and in somecases, may be too great to allow some potential kiteboarders toparticipate in the sport.

[0011] Another known system includes securing power lines to the centerof an elongate curved bar while securing the depower lines at the endsof the bar. Accordingly, a kiteboarder can modulate the angle of attackof the kite by rotating the bar such that depower lines are pulled whilethe power lines remain fixed. However, waves and wind gusts, normallyassociated with sailing in general, can cause the rotational position ofthe bar to fluctuate. Such fluctuations between the power and depowerlines can cause the kite to vacillate, and stall or collapse, or becomeoverpowered. Moreover, the kiteboarder is required to constantly providea force to hold the bar in its commanded rotated position, contributingto kiteboarder fatigue. Some systems also call for the kiteboarder toadjust the depower lines with straps, cleats, or the like. However, suchadjustment is difficult to perform quickly, especially in response towind gusts. Moreover, the kiteboarder must release at least one handfrom the control bar to make such adjustments, thereby compromising thekiteboarder's ability to control and steer the kite.

[0012] Thus, despite the known improvements to kite controls, thereremains a need for an economical kite control that allows a user toquickly and easily modulate the angle of attack of the kite withoutinterfering with the user's ability to quickly and simultaneously steerthe kite and without fatiguing the user.

[0013] The present invention is an elongate, substantially straight,control rod for simultaneously steering and controlling the angle ofattack of the kite. In particular, left and right steering lines, whichalso serve as power lines, are secured to respective ends of the rodsuch that rotation of the rod in a first direction along itslongitudinal axis causes these lines to wrap around the rod, therebyshortening them with respect to respective depower lines secured to therod. In a preferred embodiment, the depower lines are also operablysecured to the rod such that rotation of the rod in the first directioncauses the depower lines to lengthen. Conversely, rotation of the rod inan opposite second direction causes the depower lines to shorten and thepower lines to lengthen.

[0014] A user can steer the kite simply by bringing one end of thecontrol bar representing the desired direction of movement of the kitecloser to him or her than the opposite end of the control bar. Moreover,the angle of attack of the kite, and accordingly its power, can bequickly, and if desired simultaneously, adjusted and optimized by simplyrotating the control bar about its longitudinal axis.

[0015] Preferably, the control rod includes hand grips, and is harnessedto the kiteboarder such that the majority of the loads generated by thekite are not carried by the kiteboarder's arms.

[0016] Additional objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodimentthereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a kiteboarding system in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a control rod used in thekiteboarding system of FIG. 1 and in accordance with a first preferredembodiment of the present invention showing fragmentary portions ofpossible power and depower lines.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the control rod and kiteelements of the kiteboarding system of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the control rod in FIG. 2 showing apossible alternative harness assembly.

[0021]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a control rod in accordance with asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a control rod in accordance with athird preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A kite control rod 10 (10′ in FIG. 5, and 10″ in FIG. 6),preferably for use in the sport of kiteboarding is shown in FIGS. 1-6.

[0024] A. First Preferred Embodiment

[0025] In a first preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-4, akiteboarder 12 is operably secured and supported on the water 14 by afloatable board 16, which is preferably a sailboard, surfboard,wakeboard or the like. He or she is then propelled by a large kite 18being flown in the wind 20 by the kiteboarder 12.

[0026] In particular, the typical kite 18 is shaped like an airfoil andhas a leading edge 30, a trailing edge 32, a left side 34 and a rightside 36. The kite is steerable to the left or right by left and rightsteering lines 38 a, 38 b respectively, extending from the respectivesides 34, 36, respectively, of the kite 18 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] Preferably, the left and right sides 34, 36 respectively, eachinclude at least one line located toward the leading edge 30, referredto has a depower line 40 a, 40 b, respectively herein, and another linelocated toward the trailing edge 32, referred to as a power line 42 a,42 b, respectively herein, such that the pitch, or angle of attack, ofthe kite 18 may be adjusted. A power line 42 a, 42 b and a depower line40 a, 40 b, respectively, typically form a pair of lines with a firstpair of lines 44 a mounted on the left side 34 of the kite 18, and asecond pair of lines 44 b mounted one the right side 36 of the kite 18,thereby allowing the pair of lines 44 a, 44 b to also serve as left orright steering lines 38 a, 38 b respectfully.

[0028] The opposite ends of the left and right lines are secured to anelongate, substantially straight, control rod 10. In particular, theleft lines 40 a, 42 a are secured toward the left side 50 of control rodand the right lines 40 b, 42 b are secured toward the right side 52 ofthe control rod 10 as shown in FIG. 2. The left and right depower lines40 a, 40 b are preferably secured to their respective ends of thecontrol rod 10 such that rotation of the rod in a first direction, shownby arrow 56, causes these lines to wrap around the control rod 10,thereby shortening both of them. Respective left and right power lines42 a, 42 b are secured and wound around the control rod 10 such thatrotation of the control rod 10 in the direction of arrow 56 causes thesepower lines to unwind, thereby lengthening both of them. It can beappreciated that rotation of the rod a second direction, shown by arrow54, will cause the depower lines 40 a, 40 b to lengthen and the powerlines 42 a, 42 b to shorten.

[0029] Preferably, hand grips 60 are operably secured to the control rod10 to facilitate a kiteboarder's comfort, grasp and rotation of thecontrol rod 10. Such hand grips 60 can include traditional foam andother common grip materials.

[0030] More preferably, a harness 62 operably secures the kiteboarder 12to the control rod 10. In particular, the harness 62 holds the controlrod 10 a fixed distance away from the kiteboarder 12, thereby allowingthe kiteboarder's body to carry the majority of the force generated bythe kite 18. In addition, the harness 62 permits the kiteboarder 12 totilt the control rod 10 side-to-side, to steer the kite 18, and rotatethe control rod 10 about its longitudinal axis, to control the angle ofattack of the kite 18.

[0031] One known harness 62 is operably secured toward the ends 50, 52of the control rod 10. In particular, the harness 62 includes a sectionof heavy rope having opposite ends 94 a, 94 b respectively pivotallyattached toward the respective left and right ends 50, 52 of the controlrod 10. The harness rope if of proper length such that it can be securedto the kiteboarder by being placed under a hook 63 that is attached tothe rider wearing a conventional waist or seat harness 65 as shown inFIG. 1. As a result, the control rod 10 is pivotally secured to thekiteboarder 12, and may also be tilted side-to-side as previouslydescribed.

[0032] A kiteboarder 12 can steer the kite 18 simply by bringing one endof the control rod 10 representing the desired direction of movement ofthe kite closer to him or her than the opposite end of the control rod.For example, to move the kite 18 to the left, the kiteboarder 12 bringsthe left side of the control rod 10 closer to him or her than the rightside.

[0033] Moreover, the angle of attack of the kite 18, and accordingly itspower, can be quickly, and if desired simultaneously, adjusted andoptimized by simply rotating the control rod 10 about its longitudinalaxis. For example and as best shown in FIG. 3, a kite 18 in a depoweredposition 80 is shown in solid lines. A kiteboarder 12 can increase thepower on the kite 18 by rotating the control rod 10 in the direction ofarrow 54. Such rotation causes the depower lines 40 a, 40 b to lengthenand the power lines 42 a, 42 b to shorten, thereby causing the angle ofattack of the kite 18 with respect to the direction of the wind 20 tomove as shown in broken lines 82 (FIG. 3) and increasing the powerprovided by the kite 18. By rotating the control rod 10 in the oppositedirection, the power provide by the kite 18 can also be reduced. In canbe appreciated that a kiteboarder 12 can adjust the angle of attack tothe kite 18 to any desired position, thereby allowing the kiteboarder 12to dynamically adjust and optimize the power provided by the kite whilesimultaneously steering the kite 18.

[0034] B. Alternative Harness Assembly

[0035] An alternative preferred harness 62′ for use on the control rod10 is shown in FIG. 4. In general, the control rod 10 of this embodimenthas the same basic elements and construction of the first preferredembodiment. Accordingly, in order to avoid undue repetition, unlessspecifically identified otherwise below, reference numerals refer tolike numbered elements having a like orientation and configuration asthose elements identified in the discussion of the first preferredembodiment.

[0036] The alternative preferred harness 62′, shown in FIG. 4, includesoperably securing a ring 64 within a recess 66 that is centrally locatedon the control rod. The ring 64 is then operably secured to a linehaving left and right elongate portions 90, 92, respectively with eachportion having a first end 95 a and an opposite distal end 95b. Thefirst end 95 a of each portion 90, 92 includes a device, such as aconventional buckle assembly 72 and attachment holes 74 for detachablysecuring the elongate portion 90, 92 together to be operably secured tothe hook 63 (FIG. 1) on the conventional waist or seat harness 65(FIG. 1) worn by the kiteboarder. As a result, the control rod 10 canrotate within the ring 64 and tilt side-to-side.

[0037] C. Second Preferred Embodiment

[0038] A second alternative preferred control rod 10′ is FIG. 5. Ingeneral, the control rod 10′ of this embodiment has the same basicelements and construction of the first preferred embodiment.Accordingly, in order to avoid undue repetition, unless specificallyidentified otherwise below, reference numerals refer to like numberedelements having a like orientation and configuration as those elementsidentified in the discussion of the first preferred embodiment.

[0039] In the second preferred embodiment, the depower lines 40 a, 40 bare secured to their respective ends of the control rod 10′ such thatrotation of the rod in a first direction, shown by arrow 56 causes theselines to wrap around the control rod 10, thereby shortening both ofthem. Similarly, rotation of the control rod in the opposite directionwill cause these lines to unwrap and thus lengthen.

[0040] The respective left and right power lines 42 a, 42 b arepivotally secured to the rod as shown in FIG. 5, such that rotation ofthe control rod causes the power lines to maintain their length. Oneknow device for pivotally securing the power lines 42 a, 42 b asdescribed includes securing these lines to rings 96 a, 96 b encirclingthe control rod 10′. As a result, rotation of the control rod 10′ causesthe length of the depower lines 40 a, 40 b to change with respect to thelength of the power lines 42 a, 42 b, thereby changing the angle ofattack of the kite 18.

[0041] D. Third Preferred Embodiment

[0042] A third alternative preferred control rod 10″ is FIG. 6. Ingeneral, the control rod 10″ of this embodiment has the same basicelements and construction of the first preferred. Accordingly, in orderto avoid undue repetition, unless specifically identified otherwisebelow, reference numerals refer to like numbered elements having a likeorientation and configuration as those elements identified in thediscussion of the first preferred embodiment.

[0043] In the third preferred embodiment, the power lines 42 a, 42 b aresecured to their respective ends of the control rod 10″ such thatrotation of the control rod 10 in a first direction, shown by arrow 54causes these lines to wrap around the control rod 10″, therebyshortening both of them. Similarly, rotation of the control rod 10″ inthe opposite direction will case these lines to lengthen.

[0044] The respective left and right depower lines 40 a, 40 b arepivotally secured to the control rod 10″ as shown in FIG. 6, such thatrotation of the control rod causes the depower lines 40 a, 40 b tomaintain their length. One know device for pivotally securing thedepower lines 40 a, 40 b as described includes securing these lines torings 98 a, 98 b encircling the control rod 10′. As a result, rotationof the control rod 10″ causes the length of the power lines 42 a, 42 bto change with respect to the length of the depower lines 40 a, 40 b,thereby changing the angle of attack of the kite 18.

[0045] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principlesmay be put, it should be recognized that the detailed embodiment isillustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of ourinvention. For example, the control rod the embodiments disclosed hereincan include any conventional harness assembly, or operate effectivelywithout any harness attached to it. Similarly, the positioning of thehand grips with respect to the attachment points for the left and rightsteering, power, and depower lines can be readily modified. Also, therelative positions of the power and depower lines along the control rodcan be reversed without substantially altering the control mechanism.Accordingly, we claim as our invention all such modifications as maycome within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalentsthereto. I claim:

1. A control rod for controlling the angle of attack of a kite having power and depower lines comprising: an elongate, substantially straight control rod having a longitudinal axis and operably secured to the power and depower lines such that rotation of the control rod causes the distance between the control rod and the kite along one of the power and depower lines to increase with respect to the distance between the control rod and the kite along the other of the power and depower lines thereby changing the angle of attack of the kite.
 2. The control rod of claim 1, wherein: said power line is wound around said control rod in a first direction; and, said depower line is wound around said control rod in an opposite second direction such that rotating said control rod about said longitudinal axis causes one of said power and depower lines to wrap around said control rod and the other of said power and depower lines to unwrap from said control rod.
 3. The control rod of claim 1, wherein: said power line is wound around said control rod in a first direction to wrap around said control rod during said rotation; and said depower line is pivotally secured to said control rod so as to not wrap around said control rod during said rotation.
 4. The control rod of claim 1, wherein: said depower line is wound around said control rod in a first direction to wrap around said control rod during said rotation and, said power line is pivotally secured to said control rod so as to not wrap around said control rod during said rotation.
 5. The control rod of claim 1, further including a harness for operably securing said control rod to a person.
 6. The control rod of claim 5, wherein said control rod has first and second ends, and said harness is pivotally secured to said control rod toward said first and second ends such that said control rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and pivoted side-to-side about substantially its longitudinal center.
 7. The control rod of claim 5, wherein the harness is pivotally secured to the control rod toward the longitudinal center of the control rod such that the control rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and pivoted side-to-side about substantially its longitudinal center.
 8. The control rod of claim 1, further including hand grips operably secured to said control rod.
 9. A kite flying system for simultaneously steering and regulating the power of the kite comprising: a kite having left and right steering lines, a power line, and a depower line extending therefrom; and, an elongate, substantially straight control rod having a left side, right side, and longitudinal axis of rotation; wherein said left and right steering lines are operably secured to said left and right sides of said control rod such that tilting said control rod side-to-side causes said kite to turn, and said power and depower lines are operably secured to said control rod such that rotation of the control rod causes the distance between the control rod and the kite along one of the power and depower lines to increase with respect to the distance between the control rod and the kite along the other of the power and depower lines thereby changing the angle of attack of the kite.
 10. The kite flying system of claim 9, wherein said power and depower lines also serve as said left and right steering lines.
 11. The control rod of claim 9, wherein: said power line is wound around said control rod in a first direction; and, said depower line is wound around said control rod in a opposite second direction such that rotating said control rod about said axis causes one of said power and depower lines to wrap around said control rod and the other of said power and depower lines to unwrap from said control rod.
 12. The control rod of claim 11, further including a harness for operably securing said control rod to a person.
 13. The control rod of claim 12, wherein said harness is secured to said control rod toward the longitudinal center of said control rod such that said control rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and pivoted side-to-side about substantially its longitudinal center.
 14. The control rod of claim 12, wherein said harness is pivotally secured to said control rod toward the ends of said control rod.
 15. A kiteboarding system comprising: a floatable board operably secured to a kiteboarder; a kite having power and depower lines for regulating the angle with which it strikes wind; an elongate controller held by said kiteboarder such that said kite propels the kiteboarder on said floatable device, said controller being operably secured to said power and depower lines such that rotation of the control rod by said kiteboarder causes the distance between the controller and the kite along one of the power and depower lines to increase with respect to the distance between the controller and the kite along the other of the power and depower lines thereby changing the angle with which the kite strikes the wind and regulating power provided by said kite.
 16. The kiteboarding system of claim 15, further including left and right steering lines extending between said kite and said controller such that said kiteboarder may simultaneously steer said kite and regulate said kite's power by rotating and tilting said controller.
 17. The kiteboarding system of claim 15, wherein: said power line is wound around said controller in a first direction; and, said depower line is wound around said controller in a opposite second direction such that rotating said controller about said axis causes one of said power and depower lines to wrap around said controller and the other of said power and depower lines to unwrap from said controller.
 18. The kiteboarding system of claim 15, wherein: said power line is wound around said controller in a first direction to wrap around said control rod during said rotation; and said depower line is pivotally secured to said controller so as to not wrap around said control rod during said rotation.
 19. The kiteboarding system of claim 15, further including a harness for operably securing said control rod to a person.
 20. The kiteboarding system of claim 15, wherein said controller is an elongate, cylindrical rod. 